Chippewa to judge: night deer hunting is safe

Published On: Nov 27 2012 03:09:49 PM CST

MADISON, Wis. -

Wisconsin's Chippewa tribes are trying to persuade a federal judge they have the right to hunt at night and the practice is safe.

The commission that oversees the tribes' off-reservation rights authorized tribal hunters to hunt deer after dark starting this week, provoking a legal battle with the state Department of Natural Resources, which prohibits night deer hunting out of safety concerns.

The tribes on Tuesday asked U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb to block the DNR from enforcing the prohibition on tribal hunters. The tribes argue they have the right to give their members more harvest opportunities, the state allows hunters to kill wolves at night and tribal hunters must meet stringent safety requirements to get night permits.

A DNR spokesman didn't immediately return a message.

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